Although not quite in the same league as Paris or Milan, Barcelona is certainly among Europe's cities of style. It is a natural magnet for the fashion-conscious and there is no shortage of design outlets for even the most tireless consumer. Everything from books to jewels, haute couture (local and international), designer furniture and cava is on offer. Several markets animate squares around the centre of town.



The major shopping areas in Barcelona are located around La Rambla - Passeig de Gràcia-Avenida Diagonal, El Triangulo, around Plaça Catalunya, L'Lilla on Avenida Diagonal, and the Maremàgnum in the Moll de Espanya in Port Vell.

For the best bargains, it is better to get up early! There are different merchandises and markets on different days of the week and areas of the city. The Plaça Nova has antiques on Thursdays; the first and third Friday of month in Plaça de Pi there is a cheese, sweets and honey market. In Sundays there are markets in Plaça Reial - a collectors market of stamps and coins and near La Sagrada Familia is an artisan's merchandise. Els Encants Vells, is a traditional second hand market open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and on non festival Saturdays around Plaça of Les Glòries Catalanes.

The Barcelona offers a service to facilitate and create greater access to shopping in the city. Moreover some offer special free trips to Barcelona Shopping City which is a program specialized for shopping in the city, mainly in the Shopping Line. So, what is the Shopping line? Five kilometers steeped in history and replete with shops. Five kilometers taking in Barcelona's landmark streets and featuring the most select, original and finest-quality shops. The Barcelona Shopping Line covers an exceptional route around a large, easily accessible area, much of it pedestrian zone, where you can do your shopping in comfort and enjoy some of the city's most interesting and charming landmarks.

There are two big sales in Barcelona. The winter sale starts during the second week of January and lasts until the end of February. The summer sale begins in the middle of July and lasts until the end of August. Discounts of 20%-50% are offered, at the end of each sale up to 70%! You can ask form where you live exactly the addresses of shops where sales take place.

If you live outside the European Union you can claim back 16% VAT, the tax you pay when you make your purchases. When you buy goods with a value greater than 90, 16 &euro:

- Ask for your Tax-free cheque in the store where you are making your purchase.

- When you leave the EU, declare your purchases at customs and get your cheques stamped.

- Cash your tax-free cheque at the airport or return it to us by post.

One great attribute of the people of Barcelona is their spontaneity. Barcelona is undoubtedly one of Spain's most cosmopolitan cities, renowned for design and innovation with superb shopping for clothes, shoes, leather, furniture, art and much more. To go shopping in Barcelona, even if you don't buy a thing, is a real pleasure, for the lively crowds, the helpfulness and friendliness of the shopkeepers, for the shops themselves and for the easiness of a human sized city, where the shopping areas are easily identified.